West Tyrone Ulster Unionist MLA Ross Hussey has condemned the people who left a mortar type device in a Strabane graveyard, as fascists.

A mortar type device was discovered by Police in Strabane on Sunday, and work is underway to examine and make the device safe.

Police said the clearance operation is expected to take some time.

Mr Hussey, who is the UUP representative on the Policing Board, said: "Once again the good people of Strabane have had their lives placed in danger and their daily routines disrupted by what can only be described as fascists.”

“I would like to commend the bravery and diligence shown by the security forces as they sought to locate the device and move people away from the Townsend Street and Cemetery Road area to places of safety.

“There is very little I can say about the mentality of people who would use the sanctity of a graveyard to attempt to murder police officers.

“No doubt the people responsible would claim to be republicans fighting to ‘liberate' Ireland. In reality they are a criminal gang of bully boys and fascists whose only achievement this weekend was to force local people, some in their eighties, to leave their homes in the middle of the night and seek refuge in church halls or with friends and relatives.

“These so-called dissidents are simply despicable and the entire community must provide the Police with unequivocal support so they can remove them from our midst and place them behind bars where they belong.”

Meanwhile, the Police have thanked the local people for their cooperation during the security operation.

District Commander, Superintendent Mark McEwan said: "I would like to thank the local people who have been inconvenienced by this operation for their patience and understanding and we are working to get them back into their homes as soon as possible.

“The blame for the disruption however, rests with those individuals or groups who appear determined to pursue an agenda of violence and disruption which can only be to the detriment of all in our community. I would continue to encourage everyone to work with us to reduce the threat that these people pose and to keep people safe."